El Salvador Goes Kosher: A Historic First for Central American Food Exports

In January 2026, El Salvador marked a new chapter in its kosher history. For the first time, several Salvadoran brands received kosher certification, one of the most sought-after credentials in the international food industry.

Photo: CEO Roberto Salaverría and Rabbi Yosef Perets

The Sephardic Orthodox Synagogue Beit Israel (SIBI) forged an institutional alliance with one of the world's most respected kosher supervision agencies, enabling it to certify companies across El Salvador and the broader region. The certification operates under the oversight of Chief Rabbi Mijael Perets, whose KPY (Kosher Pi Yesharim) seal is recognized as one of the most rigorous standards in the kosher world.

Rabbi Yosef Perets is supervising a production plant.

The first company to receive certification is Café La Casona, whose brand portfolio includes the juice brand Maqui, a honey line, and the cigar brand Don Roberto, produced in El Salvador and set to launch in both local and international markets. The portfolio also encompasses Café La Casona's signature coffee line, spanning multiple sub-brands and specialty varieties.

🔗 cafelacasonashop.com

CEO Roberto Salaverría expressed his satisfaction, highlighting the value of international kosher certification:

"The global kosher market is growing significantly, and our international clients had been requesting it for some time."

The certification was carried out on-site by the renowned Rabbi Yosef Perets, who traveled from Panama to El Salvador to personally verify all production processes for the certified products.

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